Rahul Tewatia is a name that has garnered immense adulation and praise from the cricket fraternity in the last few days and rightly so, for his nerve-wracking 53 off 31 balls that comprised 7 sixes, with five of them coming in the 17th over that was bowled by Sheldon Cottrell.
It was one of the most inspiring moments in the game. Initially, Tewatia was struggling to connect the ball and could muster mere 17 runs in 23 deliveries that he played, while the asking rate was 51 off 18 balls.
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It was in the 17th over that things changed for Rajasthan Royals and Tewatia himself, who whacked 5 sixes off Sheldon Cottrell, and by the end of that over, the Rajasthan franchise needed 21 off 12 deliveries.
The Royals managed to win the game by four wickets in what was possibly a nerve-wracking moment for cricket fans across the globe.
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Tewatia spoke on how playing alongside international cricketers in the domestic circuit helped him better his cricketing prowess
“I play for Haryana and made my Ranji Trophy debut in 2013-14. I played a lot in Lahli which favors medium pacers. The presence of three international spinners in our team helped me a lot over the years,” stated Tewatia in the pre-match conference.
Among the capped Indian cricketers who have played with Tewatia in the domestic cricket include Yuzvendra Chahal, Amit Mishra, and Jayant Yadav.
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Rahul Tewatia has been competing in IPL since 2014. The all-rounder has aggregated 174 runs in 22 matches at an average and strike rate of 21.75 and 135.94 respectively. With the ball, he has picked 17 wickets while averaging 24.12.
Overall, he has decent numbers in T20 cricket, with 691 runs in 50 matches, averages 27.64, and strikes at 154.93. His leg-breaks have helped him garnered 33 scalpings at an average of 23.12.
I was waiting for that one hit: Rahul Tewatia
The 27-year-old spoke how Sanju Samson, who was well-set in the game and scored 85 off 42 balls (4 fours, 7 sixes), kept him motivated during their partnership. He added that they were the lookout for one big over to capitalize upon and the simple mantra was to go for one big hit.
“When I was not able to hit, I was under pressure, but Sanju told me that it’s a matter of one hit and I was waiting for that one hit.
I was looking for one big hit, one big over and that came. I had the confidence that once I start hitting, I would be able to pull it off. I was looking for a game-changing over to close in on the target,” said Tewatia as he took on Sheldon Cottrell’s over and smashed those crucial 30 runs to take his side closer to a victory.
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He mentioned that the decision to promote him at No 4 was the plan from the beginning.
“I was told to go and take on the bowlers, my role was clear from the beginning, from last one month. It was a chance to prove myself.”
Rajasthan Royals, who are currently at the top of the points table with two wins in as many contests, will now gear up for the upcoming match against Kolkata Knight Riders on September 30 in Dubai.
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